Dear Culturati Insider,
In this week’s insights we kick off with an examination of the transformation needed in DEI efforts to sustain relevance and effectiveness. At the same time, we acknowledge the significant mental health challenges among Gen Z and millennial workers. The overlap between DEI and mental health underscores the need for leadership that genuinely supports and engages.
Transitioning to the art world, the advent of Suno's AI-generated music app challenges traditional notions of creativity and authorship including copyright, authenticity, and the role of AI in artistic processes. This debate not only affects the music industry but reflects broader concerns about the impact of AI on creative professions.
Authenticity, in a different sense, is an issue in another modern workplace dilemma: the true substance of wellness initiatives. "Carewashing" occurs when companies offer superficial wellness options (the occasional yoga class or mindfulness training), which fail to align with their stated commitment to fostering a supportive and healthy work environment.
Finally, we evaluate the strategic importance of adopting a value-first approach in leadership. In uncertain times, the capacity to pivot can provide companies with a smoother transition through tumultuous markets. This week’s summaries collectively highlight the need for leaders to be more flexible, empathetic, and genuine — qualities that will define the future of successful corporate leadership.
And, in Culturati news, early bird registration is underway for our 2025 Summit. Culturati: Connect dinners are being organized in Traverse City and Toronto. To help organize one in your city, email me. We are also scheduling Culturati: LIVE for 2024-2025. If interested in presenting, apply to be a speaker.
Authentically yours,
Myste Wylde, COO
I’ve Worked In DEI For A Decade, It Won’t Survive Beyond 2025
Fast Company By Porter Braswell
Summary: As DEI faces intensified scrutiny, companies are rethinking their approach. Despite past progress, traditional DEI efforts often fall short and may not survive past 2030. The Supreme Court's ruling against race-conscious admissions has extended into the workplace, prompting cuts in DEI programs. Yet, systemic issues like racism and bias persist, and people of color will become the majority by 2045. The future of DEI requires integrating it into all organizational functions, driven by inclusive leadership and engaged communities. Personalized coaching, AI tools, and strategic investments are essential. By embedding DEI throughout operations, companies can drive innovation, outperform less diverse competitors, and create lasting cultural transformation. |
The Kids Are Not Alright: Gen Z and Millennial Workers Are Struggling and It’s Time For Managers To Pay Attention
Fortune By Emma Burleigh
Summary: Gen Z and millennial employees are experiencing significant mental health struggles, with only 31% reporting they are thriving, down from 35% last year. This is the lowest among all age groups and represents the biggest drop in morale. Loneliness affects 22% of workers under 35, compared to 20% globally. Economic downturns, the COVID-19 pandemic, and social isolation during formative years contribute to this decline. Poor management exacerbates the issue, leading to disengagement and worsening mental health. Effective leadership —through regular one-on-ones, meaningful feedback, and collaborative engagement—is crucial for improving younger workers' well-being, productivity, and retention. |
Music Just Changed Forever: Making Sense of AI’s Impact On An Entire Field of Human Culture
Persuasion By James O'Malley
Summary: Suno's AI-generated music app marks a revolutionary shift in music creation, enabling users to generate songs from text prompts, potentially reshaping the industry. Rapid technological advancements suggest AI will soon match human-made music, democratizing creation and providing new tools for artists. However, it raises the critical question: is it art if AI creates it? This debate mirrors concerns from last year's Hollywood writers' strike. Key issues include copyright violations, AI producing derivative rather than original works, and the definition of art itself. While some argue human prompts validate AI art, others believe machines performing creative labor undermine human creativity. This issue has profound creative, employment, and legal implications, challenging our understanding of artistry in the AI era. |
How “Carewashing” Alienates Employees
HBR By Maren Gube, Cynthia Mathieu, and Debra Sabatini Hennelly
Summary: Organizations with "work hard, play hard" cultures often fall into "carewashing" by offering superficial wellness programs like yoga classes or mindfulness training without truly fostering a positive and safe culture. This misalignment between claimed values and actual practices creates distrust and turnover. A 2024 Gallup survey revealed that only 21% of employees feel their organization cares about their well-being, down from 49% in 2020. To combat carewashing, leaders must ensure genuine well-being support, align rhetoric with reality, provide effective management, and create a resilient culture rooted in trust, empathy, and integrity. |
How to Ensure Value Keeps Flowing to Your Business, No Matter the Circumstances
Entrepreneur By Jarrett Preston
Summary: Leaders who cultivate a value-first mindset prioritize delivering over receiving value to enhance business resilience and growth. Building robust social networks — or social currency — can also significantly boost the flow of value to a business, crucial in volatile times. Additionally, asset trading rather than outright selling helps streamline processes and align with strategic goals, avoiding the friction typically associated with sales. This method not only preserves but potentially increases value by directly transitioning into assets that better meet current objectives. Effective leadership involves continuously adapting strategies to maintain and enhance value in the face of changing economic, political, and environmental conditions. |
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LEADERSHIP AND CULTURE
C-SUITE
EMPLOYEES
A.I. AND TECHNOLOGY
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, BELONGING
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